Chapter 287

Inside the kitchen, Hitori and Nijika were busy.

Inside the rehearsal room, Ishikawa Hayato led Ikuyo.

After breakfast, the five of them rested for a while, then each went about their own business before packing their schoolbags and leaving home for school.

After saying goodbye to Nijika and Ryo, Ishikawa Hayato led Hitori and Ikuyo toward the school.

Upon arriving at school, Ichiri and Hitori parted ways, and Ikuyo entered the same classroom as Ikuyo, returning to student mode.

202. Customs Clearance

"I have a crepe maker at home."

"I know how to make some crepes."

"Leave the signboard design to me."

"I'll go greet the guests!"

The activities were all chosen by the students in the class through voting, and there was a constant stream of self-nominations.

After matching the students who actively participated with the various tasks, the class monitor began to assign managers for each task based on the students' suggestions, and then assigned tasks to the remaining students.

With this orderly progress, the students in the class all began to take on the tasks of the school festival activities.

When choosing a task, Ishikawa Hayato rested his hand on the table, leisurely watching the noisy class. In the past, he might have joined in the activity and started acting strangely, but now he had no interest at all.

I'm still more happy playing with the girls in my own family.

As he was thinking this, his phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was a message from Ikuyo.

"What does Hayato-kun plan to do?"

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at Ikuyo was smiling happily in his direction, seemingly very excited about preparing for the school festival.

He replied.

"Make a Kanban Board."

"You've been slacking off!"

"I'm not really interested in activities with so many people these days."

"How come you're just like Ryo-senpai?!"

"And what about Yu Ikuyo?"

"I... haha."

A moment later, Ishikawa Hayato heard about the task that Ikuyo had chosen to undertake.

It's for making a signboard, and sure enough, it's the same one he chose.

However, things didn't go so smoothly.

Each step above sounds orderly, but high school students don't have that kind of strong execution ability. When assigning tasks to most students, the whole classroom becomes as chaotic as a war zone.

Some students who were capable or had good connections were fiercely sought after by the various organizers.

Kita Ikuyo among them.

"It's such a waste for Kita to be making the signboard! Come with us and let's go greet the guests!"

"Eh..." Ikuyo smiled awkwardly, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"We don't have enough people who can make crepes, Kita- chan, could you help us out?"

"Me too, it would be great if Kita -chan could come and help."

Amidst the cheers of her classmates, Ikuyo secretly glanced at Ishikawa Hayato, seeking his opinion.

Ishikawa Hayato knew that Ikuyo wasn't very interested in such a rigid thing as making signs, and that she made this choice entirely because of him.

He took out his phone and quickly typed a sentence on Line.

Let's go out and have some fun during our shift breaks.

Amidst her classmates' commotion, Ikuyo heard the special ringtone on LINE. After glancing at LINE, she smiled and looked up.

"Well, I'm a little interested in making crepes, so I'll trouble you to teach me, Hanyuu-kun."

Aside from the classmates Ikuyo asked to cheer each other on, the other organizers expressed their regret.

Lunch break.

As soon as class ended, Ishikawa Hayato, as usual, packed his lunchbox and prepared to meet with Hitori in secret.

However, today, just as he was about to say goodbye to Ikuyo and tell her that he was about to leave the classroom...

Ikuyo noticed him first and stood up, speaking to her friend while carrying her lunchbox.

"Sorry, I had something to do today."

Her friend knew everything as soon as she saw her standing next to Ishikawa Hayato with a bento box, and teased her.

"I know~ Kita, Kita-chan!"

"It's not about cheering you on!"

Kita chuckled and complained, then turned to Ishikawa Hayato and asked.

"Won't this bother you?"

Ikuyo had only asked casually. They hadn't only eaten together, but they had also slept together, and even done more outrageous things. She didn't think Ishikawa Hayato would refuse such a small thing.

Ishikawa Hayato glanced at her and took her free hand on the side closest to him.

"Certainly."

After meeting up with Hitori at the entrance, the three headed towards the place where Ishikawa Hayato and Hitori usually ate lunch.

Arriving at this place, which Ishikawa Hayato and Hitori hadn't seen for days, Ikuyo looked around with surprise and curiosity, glancing at the two tables, the view outside the window, and even taking out her phone to take some photos.

"Wow, there are classrooms this empty!"

Her reaction made Hitori a little uneasy, so she quickly went up to Ikuyo and said something.

"Ah, Ikuyo-chan, don't tell anyone..."

Ikuyo turned around and smiled, glancing at Ishikawa Hayato before saying, "Of course not, let's start eating then."

After clearing a space, the three of them sat around the table, opened their lunchboxes, and faced with almost identical dishes. Even so, Ikuyo managed to keep the conversation going.

"This egg roll must be made by Ichiri-chan! It looks so delicious~"

Ishikawa Hayato also strongly agreed.

"Indeed, it tastes especially good today."

Hitori was pleased with Ikuyo's praise, but when she heard Ishikawa Hayato say the same thing, she hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Hawk... it tastes good because there's more sugar in it today..."

"Ugh, I got roasted by Hitori."

Ishikawa Hayato smiled and lowered his head.

Hitori no longer gets nervous about Ishikawa Hayato's slightest reaction like she used to. Seeing Ishikawa Hayato's happy expression, she finds it amusing and laughs happily.

"That's it, Ichiri-chan!"

The three didn't lose interest in each other as they became more familiar; on the contrary, they found it easier to joke around more freely, which made their conversation more relaxed.

Gradually, the three started talking about the school festival, or rather, it was Ikuyo who brought up the topic.

"I've wanted to learn how to make crepes for a while, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to learn at the school festival."

"Crepes... they feel so trendy, they're completely not for me..."

Hitori listened with great hesitation.

"Looks like you've never had a crepe Hitori."

Ishikawa Hayato's tone was full of cunning and sly laughter. "Looks like I can kidnap Hitori and see what he looks like Hitori eats a crepe for the first time."

"Hmm..."

Hitori blushed.

She remains as naive as ever when it comes to relationships.

After depleting Hitori's health bar, Ishikawa Hayato continued his attack on Ikuyo was standing nearby.

"Speaking of which, after the school festival, everyone can eat Ikuyo's crepes at home, right?"

Ikuyo paused, then looked at him with a knowing expression and complained.

"Ah! Even if you figured it out, don't say anything. I wanted to surprise everyone later."

"Phew, it's impossible to fool a pervert's eyes."

"Ishikawa Hayato said with a big, silly smile."

He noticed more than just that; he even knew why Ikuyo had suddenly come today, going so far as to disturb Hitori and his time together.

Actually, you'll understand if you analyze it rationally.

It's probably because of insecurity.

Then Ishikawa Hayato spoke to her.

"By the way, have you made the call?"

Hitori looked at Ikuyo with a puzzled expression, Ikuyo smiled and said...

"I've already called them, and I've also told them that Hayato-kun is coming over today."

Looking at her, Ishikawa Hayato said with relief.

"That's good." He asked Hitori.

"You didn't go home for the three-day weekend. Did your Hitori say anything?"

Hitori shook her head. "Mom just told me to have fun and be careful."

"Hasn't Ichiri-chan always lived here?"

Ikuyo noticed the problem in their conversation and asked in surprise.

Hitori nodded. "I usually go home on weekends..."

"I see..." Ikuyo sighed with slight surprise, then asked Ishikawa Hayato.

"It seems that Hayato-kun isn't being controlled by his family."

"This is the trust my parents have in me!" Ishikawa Hayato said, his head held high, his pride overflowing.

Meanwhile, Ikuyo looked at Ishikawa Hayato's phone, eagerly anticipating a call from his parents to shatter his pride.

After school.

"Hitori, be careful on the road, and call me immediately if you need anything."

Ishikawa Hayato followed Ikuyo toward the intersection leading to her house, and then proceeded Hitori to the other side.

Hitori, carrying the canvas bag, nodded obediently.

"Yes, I always carry the talisman that Falcon gave me with me."

Ishikawa Hayato had already been to Ikuyo's house once, so he was familiar with how to get Ikuyo.

He glanced at Ikuyo, who was clinging to his arm. Although he had to go home and face his parents, Ikuyo didn't seem too uneasy.

She even had time to ask Ishikawa Hayato about what had just happened.

"By the way, does Hayato-kun still have the talisman that Ichiri-chan mentioned earlier?"

When no one else was around, Ikuyo would always cling to Ishikawa Hayato's arm, as if savoring every moment of their time together.

And because of this posture, the two were very close, and could clearly perceive each other's movements and expressions.